Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday declared that Bengaluru is not facing a water crisis and the state has made alternate arrangements to provide water. Further, Shivakumar reached out to the Prime Minister and BJP MPs urging them to secure the necessary permissions for the construction of the Mekedatu Dam.


On the water crisis issue, Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar says, "As far as Bengaluru is concerned, there is no water crisis. We have made alternative arrangements. BJP is saying that we are releasing water to Tamil Nadu. This is absolutely false. I appeal to the PM and BJP MPs that we get permission for the Mekadatu dam."






 


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DK Shivakumar's statement follows accusations by Leader of Opposition R Ashoka, who criticised the Karnataka government for allegedly releasing Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. Ashoka demanded an immediate halt to the water release and urged the government to address the water needs of Bengaluru residents.


Earlier, even CM Siddaramaiah clarified, "All that is lie. Who will let the water flow, that too in this situation? We will not give even a drop of water to Tamil Nadu without retaining water for our consumption."


He stated that Tamil Nadu did not request it nor did anyone instruct Karnataka to release water to the neighboring state.

Meanwhile, the water crisis in India's Silicon Valley has become an important topic of discussion in political circles just ahead of Lok Sabha elections scheduled to take place in April-May 2023.